Crown Prince launches HUMAIN as global AI leader

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Prime Minister and Chairman of the Public Investment Fund (PIF), on Monday announced the launch of HUMAIN, a new PIF-owned company that aims to become a global leader in artificial intelligence.

HUMAIN, chaired by the Crown Prince, will provide the latest AI models and applications, including the development of one of the best large language models (LLMs) in Arabic, along with a new generation of data centers and cloud computing infrastructure, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.

The new company will contribute to enabling and enhancing capabilities in the field of developing and delivering AI applications and solutions locally, regionally, and internationally, opening new horizons in the digital economy.

Additionally, HUMAIN will support and coordinate various data centers and device initiatives, accelerate the adoption of AI technologies across various fields, and provide an integrated system of solutions related to the digital economy in various strategic sectors, such as energy, healthcare, industry, and financial services.

The startup business will also enhance local development efforts while ensuring intellectual property rights for innovations. It is set to achieve the Kingdom's aspirations in the data and AI sector, including consolidating the Kingdom's position as a global hub for enabling the best data and AI technologies and attracting investment opportunities as well as the best domestic and international talent in the field.

PIF and several of its portfolio companies are already investing in AI and forging global partnerships, SPA said, capitalizing on the Kingdom’s strategic location across three continents and its ability to process large volumes of data quickly.

The Kingdom’s rising economic growth and tech-savvy youth population are expected to support AI capacity-building and innovation. PIF’s strategy in the AI sector is designed to enhance Saudi Arabia’s global competitiveness and advance its economic diversification goals.